From Angry Yamauchi to the Blizzard Banhammer - News Roundup 21st April 2010

Yamauchi will be "Angry" when GT5 Launches

Polyphony Digital must be getting pretty sick of developing GT5. It's slowly becoming the DNF of driving games (in any sense of the acronym) after years of development delays, and yet Kazunori Yamauchi claims that he'll be "angry" when it finally goes gold. In an interview with PSM3 magazine, Yamauchi blames his anger on his own high standards.

"I'd probably be relieved [to finish development] in terms of having fulfilled my responsibilities, but I may be angry at the same time. As it has been with all of the releases so far, I’m never fully satisfied with what I create.”

Unfortunately for Yamauchi's blood pressure, GT5 is over 90% complete and has been rumoured for an Autumn release. [CVG]

Modern Warfare 2 Achieves Guinness World Record

Infinity Ward's future may currently be in doubt, but let's take some time out from the bitter legal proceedings to congratulate them for creating the most successful entertainment launch of all time.

MW2 was released last November and received first day sales of £242.2 million- and Guinness World Records has identified it as grossing more than any game, movie, book or film in history on its first day (due, in part, to the high RRP compared to cinema tickets).

Well done, guys. Good luck getting your royalties, though.

Xbox Live to get TV Channel?

According to an anonymous source, Microsoft has been discussing the possibility of launching an Xbox Live TV channel with former News Corporation President Peter Chernin. Apparently this new channel would be aimed at the "young male" market and would feature a variety of shows including reruns and original content. Sounds great- except that it would increase the price of Gold membership by a pound or two per month- and many wouldn't actually benefit from the service.

Microsoft is refusing to comment on the leaked story, but it seems legit considering their recent attempt to show the American Conan O'Brian show live on the service (also through Chernin).

I feel that I speak for most UK Xbox owners when I say: thanks, but why not give us BBC iPlayer instead? You know, before we've all bought PS3s. [Bloomberg via Kotaku]

Blizzard Bans 320,000 Online Cheaters

Blizzard doesn't mess around when it comes to keeping its online communities free from undesirables; and has instigated another huge cull from Warcraft III and Diablo II. Over 320,000 cheaters, hackers and Terms of Use violators have recently been banned and hit with varying penalties.

"If this is a first offence, the CD key associated with the banned account will be suspended for 30 days, while repeat offenders will see their keys banned permanently. All account ban decisions are final."

Blizzard went on to praise the community for ratting out potential hackers- and suggests that all Battle.net users should remain vigilant and report suspicious activity.

Look to your left. Look to your right. Do you see a hacker? Call it in.[Gamesindustry.biz]